Organ Works

The organ of St. Margarethen Church in Waldkirch was built in 1875 as the first commission in southern Baden for the renowned organ-building workshop E.F. Walcker & Cie. (Ludwigsburg). It marked a significant milestone in the company's history. The exceptional quality of the instrument led to numerous subsequent commissions in the region, including organs in Geisingen, Wehr, and Pfaffenweiler, as well as in prominent churches like the Freiburg Minster and St. Peter's Abbey.

Modifications throughout the years

In the 1960s, the condition of the organ was critically evaluated for the first time. Initial considerations for a new build or comprehensive renovation were made in 1963, but challenges, especially the need to adapt to the church's Baroque interior architecture, delayed implementation. Various organ builders submitted proposals in the following years, including E.F. Walcker & Cie. themselves.

In 1973, a comprehensive renovation was finally undertaken by Freiburg-based organ builder August Späth. Significant interventions were made during this process: the wind system was replaced, the casing was reduced by one meter in depth, and the disposition and intonation were significantly altered to adapt the tonal character to contemporary tastes. These measures resulted in a loss of historical substance, including the original tonal design.

Restoration of the Historical Disposition

After decades of intensive use, plans for a restoration were developed in 1989 and finally carried out by our company Freiburger Orgelbau in 1992. During this process, the Gedecktbaß 8' in the pedal section was restored to its original form. However, the goal of a complete restoration to the original tonal design remained for the time being.

In 1998, the original disposition was largely reconstructed, supplemented by a new wind system. The pitch of 440 Hz and the casing shortening from the 1970s were retained. The intonation was revised once again to come as close as possible to the original sound.

A film produced in 2018 by the University of Göttingen showcases, among other things, the work of our intonateur Reiner Janke, using the St. Margarethen organ as an example to demonstrate how historically accurate replicas of organ pipes are manufactured today.

Following the above-mentiones restorations and revisions, the Walcker organ of St. Margarethen is now a largely preserved historical instrument.